Dr. Sam Pack College of Business

Welcome to Tarleton State University's Dr. Sam Pack College of Business, proudly accredited by AACSB—an honor held by less than 6% of business schools worldwide. This distinction ensures our programs, including the Master of Business Administration (MBA), meet the highest standards of academic excellence and real-world relevance. Through a transformative learning environment, we empower students with the knowledge, skills, and ethical foundation to excel in dynamic global markets, while enhancing value for alumni, employers, and communities alike.

Mission Statement

The Dr. Sam Pack College of Business empowers all learners with the knowledge, skills, and ethical principles to thrive in the global economy. Through faculty and student interactions we prepare leaders who positively impact organizations, foster economic growth, and contribute to their communities.

Vision

To develop innovative, principled, and globally minded business leaders who succeed in a wide range of business environments. To provide a dynamic learning environment that includes practical experience, scholarship, and skills to prepare individuals for real-world challenges.

Values1

  • Collaboration: The value of collaboration refers to respect, support network, mentorship, teamwork, service, and involvement. It signifies a focus on considering and meeting the needs and interests of various stakeholders, including students, faculty, staff, and the wider community. ​
  • ​Leadership: The value of leadership includes integrity, courage, vision, innovation, and objective decision-making. It reflects an aspiration to develop and equip individuals as effective leaders who positively impact the business world and beyond. ​
  • Diligence and Persistence: We encourage our students to approach challenges with determination and unwavering persistence. Through hard work and dedication, they learn that overcoming obstacles is not just a part of the journey but a critical component of personal and professional growth.
  1. Aligns with United Nations (U.N.) Sustainable Development goals 4: Quality Education; 8: Decent Work and Economic Environment; and 9: Industry, Innovation, & Infrastructure.

Accreditation

Tarleton State University's  Dr. Sam Pack College of Business boasts full accreditation from AACSB, the leading accrediting body for business colleges worldwide. This prestigious recognition is granted to less than 6% of colleges of business globally. It is noteworthy that the entire university holds regional accreditation from SACSCOC, underscoring the institution's commitment to meeting high academic standards across all its academic disciplines.

Departments and Programs

Policies for graduate programs in the Dr. Sam Pack College of Business (DSPCOB) are developed by the DSPCOB Dean, the Dean of the College of Graduate Studies, and the Graduate Council. The Dean of the Dr. Sam Pack College of Business is responsible for maintaining consistent policies and standards governing graduate programs in business. The following administrative units hold direct authority for administering the programs, and the graduate degree programs offered in the Dr. Sam Pack College of Business include:

All questions of policies, appeals, and petitions regarding the operation of graduate programs in business should be directed to the Dean of the Dr. Sam Pack College of Business and submitted through the appropriate DSPCOB department head.

Admission Requirements

Admission to one of the Dr. Sam Pack College of Business graduate programs is a two step process. First, applicants must be admitted to the College of Graduate Studies. Once admitted to the College of Graduate Studies, applications are forwarded to the Dr. Sam Pack College of Business for evaluation based on the specific program applied for. To be granted admission, the applicant must:

  • Application:
    • Submit your online graduate application by choosing your desired major in the drop-down menu on the application page.
    • Pay a $50 non-refundable processing fee
    • Submit an essay (600 words or less) addressing your purpose and goals for pursuing graduate school (NOTE: If you are interested in utlimately pursuing a doctorate, you should 1) consider potentially pursuing a thesis option if applicable to your desired program and 2) addressing this in your essay to more easily identify your future academic interests)
    • For priority consideration, please submit your application at least one month prior to the first class day. This allows sufficient time for all required documents to be received and processed before late registration.
    • The regular deadline for consideration of your application is five days prior to the start of classes. Some graduate departments have earlier application deadlines. Please check with your program for those dates.
  • Official Transcripts: Request official academic credentials from each of the colleges and universities you have attended and submit them using one of the following methods. 
    • Mail sealed, official transcripts to:
    • The College of Graduate Studies
    • Box T-0350
    • Stephenville, TX 76402
    • Request that the awarding institution email them to grad-docs@tarleton.edu.
    • Drop off your sealed, official transcripts directly to the College of Graduate Studies Office during regular business hours.
    • ​Note: If you attended a foreign college or university, you will need to submit a course by course transcript evaluation.
  • Test Scores: Applicants with an undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher overall or within the last 60 hours are exempt from submitting GMAT/GRE scores. Should you need to submit test scores or desire to submit test scores to achieve full admission:

  • As part of the admission process, learners may need to fulfill prerequisites (leveling requirements) for the MAAC, MBA, and MS-HRM based on their undergraduate preparation. The specific requirements will be communicated to individuals during the admission process.

Accelerated Bachelor's-to-Master's Degree Program

The MS-Information Systems program provides a fast-track pathway for students to complete both undergraduate and graduate degrees in a shorter time frame by integrating graduate coursework into the latter stages of the undergraduate program. As an undergraduate to pursue this option you must meet the following requirements:

  • Apply and be conditionally accepted by the College of Graduate Studies and be accepted into the MS-IS program.
  • Be within 12 hours of obtaining their Tarleton State University degree in BAAS-IT, BBA-MIS, or BS-CIS.
  • Have a GPA of 3.0 or higher overall or during the last 60 hours, whichever is higher.

Admission Process

  • Complete the Graduate Provisional/Accelerated Enrollment Form to take graduate courses as an undergraduate student.
  • Work with an academic advisor to integrate graduate courses into the undergraduate degree plan.
    • NOTE: In your final undergraduate semester, you will take BCIS 5311 plus an additional BCIS graduate elective, to serve as undergraduate upper-level electives. You are encouraged to consider this option early in your program and to work closely with DSPCOB Academic Advisers and the COB Graduate Programs Manager to take advantage of this option.
  • If your degree plan reflects the Bachelor’s-to-Master’s Degree Program, you will be automatically accepted into the master’s program through the Auto-Acceptance Program upon meeting the eligibility requirements, streamlining the transition.
    • Auto-Acceptance waives typical application requirements such as application fees and additional documentation. No GRE or other standardized test score will be required unless the participating program or department requires it for admission to their program.
  • Upon completing the bachelor’s degree requirements, you will continue in the master’s program without needing to reapply.

Transfer Credit

Upon recommendation of the respective COB Graduate Programs Manager and department head in which the program is administered and with approval of the Dean of the College of Graduate Studies, you may transfer up to 12 hours of graduate work completed at another regionally accredited institution. For programs that require a comprehensive examination (in addition to course work or embedded within) or a capstone course, you must complete core courses at Tarleton.

Course work in which no formal grade is given (for example, CR, P, S, U, etc.) is not accepted for transfer credit. Credit for course work submitted for transfer from any college or university must be shown in semester credit hours or equated to semester credit hours. No academic work completed by correspondence may be applied to graduate degree programs.

GPA Requirements

You are expected to maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0 at all times. Should you earn a grade below C in a graduate course or fall below an overall GPA of 3.0, you may be placed on academic warning or suspension, requiring an academic appeal in order to remain in the program. If you are granted an appeal, you may be advised to repeat a course, reduce your course load, or take other corrective action to remove the deficiency. For more information, see the section on Graduate Student Performance in the Enrollment in Graduate Courses section of the College of Graduate Studies catalog and review the Satisfactor Academic Performance section of Student Services and Resources for information related Graduate Suspension Appeals.

Research Requirement

Research is required as a part of graduate course work, but a separate thesis is not a degree requirement for any Dr. Sam Pack College of Business graduate program. Nevertheless, if you are interested in pursuing a doctorate, it is highly recommended that you should consider a thesis option and you should consult with your respective COB Graduate Programs Manager for more information. The MS-Information Systems degree is a 36-hour program, with a thesis option. The MBA and MACC degrees are 30-hour non-thesis programs. The MS in Human Resource Management program is a 30 hour program with a thesis option. The MS in Logistics and Supply Chain Management program is a 30-36 hour program depending on whether a thesis option is chosen. The MS-Management program ranges from 30-36 hours depending on the concentration, some of which include a thesis option. Finally, the MS in Marketing program is a 30-hour program with no thesis option.

Other Information

  • Academic Appeals Process: Tarleton’s Dr. Sam Pack College of Business adheres to the university's policies on academic appeals. Students experiencing academic grievances should consult the Satisfactory Academic Performance section on the  Student Services and Resources page. This resource provides clear guidance on the steps for addressing and resolving academic concerns. For further assistance, students are encouraged to contact the appropriate university support services.
  • Netiquette: Learners are expected to communicate respectfully, respond promptly, and actively participate in discussions and group activities to ensure a collaborative and effective learning environment.
  • Minimum Technology Requirements: Students enrolled in programs within Tarleton’s AACSB-accredited Dr. Sam Pack College of Business must meet minimum technology requirements to ensure seamless access to course materials and online learning activities. Requirements include a reliable computer, high-speed internet connection, and standard productivity software such as Microsoft Office. Additional recommendations may include specific software or tools relevant to the program, as outlined in advising guides or course syllabi. For further assistance, students can access university technical support services.
  • Computer Skills and Digital Information Literacy Skills: To succeed in your courses course, students should possess essential skills such as time management, critical thinking, effective communication, and basic technical proficiency relevant to the course content. 
  • Vendor Privacy Statements: Students are encouraged to review the privacy policies of tools used in your courses to understand how their data is managed. Use of these tools implies agreement with their terms.
  • Technical Support: For technical support with tools used in your courses, refer to the vendor support resources provided for troubleshooting and assistance. These resources offer guidance to resolve common issues effectively.
  • Accessibility Support: For accessibility support services related to tools used in your courses, visit the vendor accessibility pages provided to ensure inclusive and equitable access. These resources address common accessibility concerns and offer assistance.
  • Academic Support Services: Tarleton’s Dr. Sam Pack College of Business offers various academic support services to help students succeed, including orientations for undergraduate and graduate programs, library services, the Math Achievement Center, the Writing Center, and the Tutoring and Learning Center. These resources provide personalized support, from enhancing writing skills to developing effective learning techniques.
  • Student Services and Resources: Tarleton’s Dr. Sam Pack College of Business offers a wide range of resources to support student success, including academic advising, registration guidance, financial aid assistance, and counseling services. Additional support includes tools for scholarships, veteran services, and career development, with specialized resources like internships and student organizations to enhance professional growth.
  • Vendor Accessibility Statements: The Dr. Sam Pack College of Business is committed to providing accessible technology for all students. Accessibility statements for all required technologies used in COB courses, including tools like Canvas, Adobe, Microsoft, Pearson products, and Zoom, are available to ensure equitable access. These statements outline the accessibility features and accommodations provided by each vendor to support an inclusive learning environment.
  • Graduate Online Orientation: The Graduate Online Orientation introduces new graduate students to the resources, expectations, and academic culture of the Dr. Sam Pack College of Business (DSPCOB). This self-paced program covers key aspects of graduate studies, including navigating the online learning environment, utilizing university services like the library and writing center, and understanding program policies and procedures. Orientation ensures that students feel confident and prepared to succeed in their academic journey.
  • Graduate Course Rotations: Graduate Course Rotations provide a structured schedule of when specific graduate courses are offered across semesters. This information helps students plan their academic paths efficiently, ensuring they can meet degree requirements within their desired timeline. Rotations typically detail which courses are available in the fall, spring, and summer semesters and indicate whether they are offered online, in-person, or in hybrid formats.
  • DSPCOB Syllabi: The DSPCOB Syllabi repository gives students access to detailed course syllabi for all graduate and undergraduate programs within the college. Each syllabus outlines the course objectives, topics covered, grading criteria, required materials, and policies on academic integrity, attendance, and participation. The syllabi serve as a roadmap for academic success, offering clarity on expectations and resources for each course.
  • Masters in Accounting (MACC):
  • Master of Business Administration (MBA)
  • MS-Human Resource Management (MS-HRM)
  • ​MS-Logistics and Supply Chain Management (MS-LSCM)
  • MS-Management
  • Masters in Information Systems (MS-Information Systems)​
  • Masters in Marketing (MS-Marketing)

Questions?

Send your questions to the COB Graduate Programs Manager at cob.graduate@tarleton.edu

Dr. Keldon Bauer, Interim Dean
Dr. Sam Pack College of Business
Business Building, Room 173
Box T-0200
Stephenville, TX 76402
Phone: 254-968-9350
Fax: 254-968-9328
cob@tarleton.edu

Dr. Joseph Schuessler, Associate Dean
Dr. Sam Pack College of Business
Box T-0200
Stephenville, Texas 76402
Phone: 254-968-9350
Fax: 254-968-9328
cob@tarleton.edu

Teresa Sanders
Dr. Sam Pack College of Business
Business Building, Room 173
Box T-0200
Stephenville, Texas 76402
Phone: 254-968-9350
Fax: 254-968-9328
cob@tarleton.edu